America's happiest seaside town: Ocean City, N.J.

"Happy seaside town" may sound redundant to many travelers. After all, people have been seeking out scenic spots by the water for as long as there have been people.

There was even a bestselling book, Blue Mind: The surprising science that shows how being near, in, on, or under water can make you happier, healthier, more connected, and better at what you do, that focused on the scientific evidence that being close to bodies of water promotes mental health and happiness.

Coastal Living ranks the best small waterfront communities for its annual "Happiest Seaside Town in America" issue, and for 2018, the happiest of them all is Ocean City, N.J.

Coastal Living calls out the classic Jersey Shore town for its “Residential Historic District full of Victorian bungalows and beach cottages making year-round life feel like an old-fashioned vacation."

Of course many of the aspects that make coastal towns great places to live also make them top spots to visit. See Coastal Living's top ten happiest seaside towns — not all of them by an ocean — in the slideshow above.

Wallace J. Nichols' bestselling book, “Blue Mind: The surprising science that shows how being near, in, on, or under water can make you happier, healthier, more connected, and better at what you do" (Little, Brown and Company, 2014). Little, Brown and Company

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Rented.com looked at a number of factors that affect return on investment, including housing prices, real estate taxes and the local rental market, to determine the best places to own. No. 1: Panama City Beach, Fla.; 98.9 points out of 100. We’ve seen this Panhandle city at the top of our list before, thanks to the affordability and popularity of this year-round destination. Getty Images/iStockphoto

No. 5: Cocoa Beach, Fla.; 71.3. This barrier island on the east coast of central Florida is known for its abundant outdoor activities, historical significance and proximity to Orlando (45 minutes). Getty Images/iStockphoto

No. 6: Galveston, Texas; 68.8. Vacation rentals are seasonal, but lower prices and the popularity of this family-friendly destination make this Texas Gulf Coast city a worthwhile investment. Getty Images/iStockphoto

No. 16: Miami Beach; 47.5. This, and the market one spot below are perfect illustrations of how more than revenue potential must be considered when assessing investment potential. Always a hot market with tourists, Miami is just as hot with property investors, pushing prices up compared to many on this list. Still, with the constant appeal of South Beach, this remains a top place to invest. Getty Images/iStockphoto

No. 20: Key West; 42.3. There are very few beaches on this island, but there are endless water activities and stunning waterfront scenery, with enough options for visitors to choose between a relaxing or rowdy stay. Getty Images/iStockphoto